Principal Cloud Platform Engineer

You could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members by using technology to improve health outcomes around the world. As a diversified, national organization, Centene's technology professionals have access to competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility.

Position Purpose:

We are seeking a strategic, analytical and technical Principal Cloud FinOps Engineer to lead cloud cost optimization initiatives across our organization. This role will partner with engineering, finance, and procurement teams to drive financial accountability, improve cloud efficiency, and develop forecasting models that align cloud economics with business outcomes.

Cloud Cost Management & Optimization:

• Monitor cloud usage across AWS and MS Azure; analyze spending patterns and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Implement strategies such as rightsizing, reserved instances, savings plans, and storage/network optimization.
• Develop and maintain dashboards to visualize cloud spend across teams and business units.

Forecasting & Financial Modeling:

• Build and maintain financial models to forecast cloud spend and track against budget.
• Create executive-level reporting that connects cloud economics to business outcomes.
• Partner with Finance to develop cost allocation methodologies and bridge technical-financial gaps.

Data Quality & Automation:

• Enhance data pipelines with validation checks and anomaly detection.
• Automate reporting and cost optimization alerts using a set of tools including: Cloud Financial Management Platform, Cloud-Native tools, Python, Terraform, Gitlab Pipelines, Data Lake Apps etc...
• Administer cloud cost management platforms and tagging/governance programs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Cloud Engineers, Architects, and Procurement to align cloud strategy with business goals.
• Mentor and coach team members on FinOps principles and cloud cost best practices.
• Influence engineering teams through clear communication of cost concepts and optimization strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Education/Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in a quantitative or business field (e.g., statistics, mathematics, engineering, computer science) and requires deep functional and Centene specific knowledge with 6 - 8 years of related experience.

Or equivalent experience acquired through accomplishments of applicable knowledge, duties, scope and skill reflective of the level of this position.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Python, Cloud Engineering/Architecture and data visualization tools.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure) and their cost structures.
• Familiarity with cloud cost management tools and FinOps frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Curiosity and adaptability in a fast-evolving cloud environment.

Soft Skills:

• Advanced - Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Advanced - Ability to identify basic problems and procedural irregularities, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Advanced - Ability to work independently
• Advanced - Demonstrated analytical skills
• Advanced - Demonstrated project management skills
• Advanced - Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Advanced - Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
• Advanced - Ability to communicate and make recommendations to upper management
• Advanced - Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
• Advanced - Possesses technical aptitude

Pay Range: $119,100.00 - $220,500.00 per year

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act